Archaeologists have discovered a cache of four Roman swords and a pilum in a cave near the shore of the Dead Sea in Israel.
The rare cache of weapons was found in the En Gedi Nature Reserve, preserved in wooden and leather scabbards. The shafted weapon known as a pilum and the four swords date back to 1,900 years ago.
The weapons were probably war booty taken from the Roman army by Judean rebels, according to the authors of a research article published Wednesday in the book “New Studies in the Archaeology of the Judean Desert: Collected Papers.” The first evidence—the pilum and pieces of worked wood that turned out to be scabbards—were found by chance in an isolated and inaccessible cave on cliffs by archaeologists studying a fragmentary ink inscription on a stalactite. Further investigation revealed four swords “in an almost inaccessible crevice on the upper level of the cave,” according to a press statement from the Israel Antiquities Authority.
The “exceptionally well-preserved” swords were found alongside pieces of leather, wood, and metal. Three of the swords had iron blades inside wooden scabbards and measured 60-65 centimeters (24-26 inches) in length. The fourth was 45 centimeters (18 inches) long. A bronze “Bar Kokhba” coin dating from 132–135 CE was also uncovered during further excavations, possibly dating the swords, according to the press release. At this time, the Bar Kokhba Revolt, also known as the Second Jewish Revolt, saw Jews rebel against Roman rule in the area.
This discovery is significant because it provides new insights into ancient warfare and trade practices. It also highlights how much more there is to learn about our past and how much more we can discover with careful study and exploration.